Rail4chem was set up in 2000 under the joint ownership of German firms BASF, Hoyer GmbH Internationale Fachspedition and VTG, and Swiss company Bertschi. Through its subsidiaries Rail4chem Benelux, Rail4chem Transalpin in Basel and Fer Polska the group had operating permits for Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Switzerland.

Hannover Mobilien Leasing GmbH and Deutsche Leasing, two German financial companies, made it possible for Rail4Chem to introduce new Traxx locomotives type F140 AC2 in its fleet. Between 2002 and 2005 eight such machines were delivered, all painted in green and silver. They are homologated for services in Germany, Austria and additionally in Switzerland, as they are equipped with Swiss detection system ZUB/Integra and with a Swiss pantograph with small contacts, obligatory for running through the narrow Swiss tunnels. Rail4Chen decided to sell two 145-CL series locomotives when the new electrics arrived.

In 2008, Rail4Chem was taken over by Veolia Cargo from France. In 2009, all activities of Veolia Cargo outside of France were sold to the SNCF, again from France.

Locomotive 185 517 has long been neglected, running around in simple silver and dark green. But now it is visible the machine belongs to a family, the Captrain family. New in the standard livery in lime and light grey. Pictures by Thomas W. Finger and Tobias Schmidt.

2016-03-09

[DE] Captrain colors slowly uniting the fleet

update 2016|03|09

[DE] Captrain colors slowly uniting the fleet

The different divisions of Captrain are getting more visible every day: Captrainized 1600 in the Netherlands, EP09s and 232s in Poland. New TRAXX DCs in Italy, new TRAXX AC3s in Germany and the Captrain Vectrons are now also traveling through in Poland (debute?) and the Czech Republic.

The title image shows the newest Captrainized electric on this website: 185 598 (picture by Thomas Salomon). Previously it had the red/white Veolia Cargo livery with ITL logos. We have listed all TRAXX AC electrics that are part of the Captrain fleet now and their current livery:

- RTC ES 64 F4-007 has been repainted in the blue zebra-livery in Kassel.
- Captrain 185 550 now has the Captrain livery too.
- New logos for the LTE EuroRunner locomotives.
- Hector Rail ES 64 U2-017 is in Linz. Its black livery is replaced with orange and grey
- More Akiem 37000s re-appear in a neutral silver livery; 37013, 37016 and 37017.

On 16.02.2012, unit 185 532-9 was outshopped by Bombardier in Kassel with a new livery. The colors are no surprise, however the general design is different from other Captrain-colored units, the cabins are completely lime. Also Traxx Care logos have been added to the design, similar to those on 185 513-9. - GZ/KAR

2012-03-07

[DE] yet another locomotive in Captrain design: 185 549

update 2012|03|07

[DE] yet another locomotive in Captrain design: 185 549

Yet another ex-r4c locomotive in a new Captrain-design; 185 549-3. This machine got a complete overhaul in Eisenach (REV UEIX 07.03.2012). - CK

2011-10-16

[DE] now also 185 542 Captrainized

update 2011|10|16

[DE] now also 185 542 Captrainized

After 185 543, now also unit 542 is Captrainized. The locomotive got a general overhaul at Uwe Adam EVU including a restyling in the current livery of Captrain; light grey with lime green cab ends.

Curious is that unit 541, which looked similar to the 542, also in green and silver with European Bulls logos, did not get an restyling. The 541 was overhauled at mgw Service GmbH & Co. in Krefeld.

2011-10-16

[DE] 185 550 after Bleicherode

update 2011|10|16

[DE] 185 550 after Bleicherode

Not only ES 64 F4-204 was damaged during the accident in Bleicherode. The train on which this EuroSprinter collapsed was hauled by 185 550. However the damage on this green and silver machine is much less severe. However the 550 is checked right now. Captrain hopes it will run soon again. It will be used bei RBB again.

2010-08-25

[DE] 185 517 sounding D on tour across Germany

update 2010|08|25

[DE] 185 517 sounding D on tour across Germany

Today, the sounding D express has set of for a 19-day journey across Germany. This special train will collect typical sounds from different German cities and combine those into characteristic soundscapes. Along the way, the sounding D train will be in the center of many musical activities and concerts. Alpha Trains' 185 517 has become sounding D locomotive for this occasion, including a special livery and three special coaches.

BTW: picture upload of 185 517 is enabled again!

Captrain Traxx AC1: Further developments

In 2005, Rail4Chem joined European Bulls, a pan-European cooperation for freight transport. 185 541, 542 and 549 were decorated with additional European Bulls logos to communicate this membership. 185 543 got promotional vinyls for Transpetrol. All other machines only got Rail4Chem logos.

In November 2005, brand new R4C 185 550 crashed into a waiting convoy, and was severely damaged. After only few days of commercial service, it had to return to Kassel. Bombardier needed six months to repair the damage, and finally the machine was up and running again in May 2006.

consolidation phase
Around 2007-2008, the consolidation phase started in the European freight market, large (former state) operators started to buy their open access competitors, taking them out of the market. In 2008, On 20.02.2008, it was announced that Rail4Chem was sold by its stakeholders to Veolia Cargo from France. The Veolia mother company decided to sell Veolia Cargo to Eurotunnel/SNCF in 2009, a deal which was finalized in December 2009. All Veolia activities outside France from then on were part of the SNCF concern, which also acquired ITL from Germany in 2008.

On 01.01.2010, these take overs had only affected the looks of the 185 517, as it had its first main overhaul in the Autumn of 2009. It lost its R4C logos, but its base livery stayed the same.